Designed to aid the female hockey squad coach monitor her athletes in the lead up to the 2005 European Championships, the hockey diaries provided key information relating to each athlete's state of health.
The diaries were recorded daily for two eight-week blocks and returned to Dr Brian Walker, Medical Director at the Institute, for analysis.
At the same time three separate salivary IgA (Immunoglobulin A) samples were produced after a rest day at four-weekly intervals.
Salivary IgA is the body's first defence against colds and flu and its level is affected by illness, dental problems and athlete recovery.
The variables being recorded included health and fitness, sleep, mood and training load and the data recorded enabled the squad to leave for this major Championship in good health.
Subsequently the coach engaged a similar process leading up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games.